COVID-19: China refutes CIA and reinforces WHO's conclusion against the hypothesis of a laboratory leak.
A Chinese spokesperson criticized the United States for politicizing and using the pandemic as a tool to attack other countries.
247 - China dismissed on Monday (27) the theory that COVID-19 originated from an accidental leak in a laboratory, recently suggested by the CIA. In a press conference in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called the claim unfounded and argued that the issue should be addressed on a scientific basis, according to reports from Chinese state media.
“The origin of the coronavirus is a scientific question and must be determined by scientists in a scientific spirit. The hypothesis of a laboratory leak is highly improbable,” Mao stated. according with the AA portal.
The statement came after new reports that the CIA was supporting the theory that the pandemic may have originated from an accident in high-security laboratories in Wuhan, and not through natural transmission in an animal market in the city. According to this information, the US agency reached this conclusion after a more detailed analysis of the conditions of these laboratories before the outbreak began in December 2019.
The Chinese spokesperson refuted the allegations and highlighted the conclusions of a joint investigation between China and the World Health Organization (WHO), conducted in 2021. According to the report at the time, the possibility of a laboratory leak was considered "highly unlikely." Mao also stressed that these conclusions were widely accepted by the scientific and international community.
“The team of experts from China and the WHO reached this conclusion based on on-site visits to relevant laboratories in Wuhan and in-depth exchanges with scientific researchers. This determination has been widely recognized by the global scientific community,” Mao added.
The debate surrounding the origin of COVID-19 has gained renewed momentum with recent statements from the CIA – shortly after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
In addition to dismissing the leak theory, Mao Ning criticized the United States for politicizing and using the issue as a tool to attack other countries. She called on Washington to share data on possible early cases with the WHO and clarify doubts about its own biological laboratories.
“The U.S. government should stop politicizing and instrumentalizing the issue of the origin of the coronavirus, stop defaming other countries and shifting responsibility,” Mao said. “It should instead respond to the legitimate concerns of the international community and provide data on initial suspected cases, as well as clarify issues related to American biological laboratories.”
